Social phobia symptoms: prevalence and sociodemographic correlates.

BACKGROUND Social phobia is a highly prevalent disorder in western countries, but is rather rare in eastern societies. Prevalence rates range from 0.5% in eastern studies and up to 16% in western studies. The present study examined the prevalence of social phobia in the Iranian general population and demographic characteristics associated with this anxiety disorder. METHODS Participants included 701 subjects from Golestan Province. Measures included the Social Phobia Inventory and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Demographic correlates of social phobia were also examined. RESULTS Probable social phobia was present in 10.1% of the total sample (8.6% male and 11.6% female). Sex, social support, residence, education, and job correlated with social phobia. CONCLUSIONS Our findings corroborate those from other studies in western countries, both regarding the high prevalence of SP symptoms and its demographic correlates.